Nation dossier · Group A · In contention
South Korea
Republic of Korea
Latest South Africa 1–0 South Korea · Group A
Title probability
0.0%
as of 2026-06-25
Overview
South Korea arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of Asia's standard-bearers, blending European-based stars with hardened K-League veterans. Captain Son Heung-min remains the emotional and technical heartbeat, while the emergence of Lee Kang-in and the world-class presence of Kim Min-jae give the Taeguk Warriors genuine quality across the spine.
Under a possession-minded approach, Korea have qualified comfortably from AFC and carry confidence after consecutive Round-of-16 appearances. The ambition is clear: go beyond the last 16 and recapture some of the magic of 2002.
The squad's challenge is balancing an aging core with younger legs, but the depth in midfield and attack offers real flexibility.
Capital
Seoul
Population
51,700,000
Confederation
AFC
FIFA code
KOR
From Wikipedia
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. South Korea claims to be the sole legitimate…
Source: Wikipedia →Squad
- 175caps
Kim Seung-gyu
Al-Shabab · Experienced veteran shot-stopper
- 2135caps
Jo Hyeon-woo
Ulsan HD · Reliable reflex keeper
- 238caps
Song Bum-keun
Jeonbuk Hyundai · Promising young understudy
- 212caps
Kim Tae-hyun
FC Seoul · Energetic full-back option
- 368caps
Kim Min-jae
Bayern Munich · World-class commanding center-back
- 418caps
Cho Yu-min
Sharjah · Composed ball-playing center-back
- 1220caps
Lee Ki-je
Suwon FC · Attacking left-back
- 1330caps
Kim Moon-hwan
Jeonbuk Hyundai · Overlapping right-back
- 1510caps
Seol Young-woo
Red Star Belgrade · Versatile defensive utility
- 19110caps
Kim Young-gwon
Ulsan HD · Veteran defensive leader
- 2025caps
Jung Seung-hyun
Al-Wakrah · Aerially dominant defender
- 660caps
Hwang In-beom
Feyenoord · Deep-lying playmaking engine
- 825caps
Park Yong-woo
Al-Ain · Defensive midfield anchor
- 1420caps
Paik Seung-ho
Birmingham City · Tidy passing midfielder
- 1618caps
Hong Hyun-seok
Mainz 05 · Dynamic attacking midfielder
- 1780caps
Lee Jae-sung
Mainz 05 · Box-to-box workhorse
- 1835caps
Lee Kang-in
Paris Saint-Germain · Creative magical playmaker
- 2222caps
Jeong Woo-yeong
Union Berlin · Versatile wide creator
- 7130caps
Son Heung-min
Tottenham Hotspur · Captain and talisman
- 930caps
Cho Gue-sung
Midtjylland · Towering target striker
- 1018caps
Oh Hyeon-gyu
Genk · Mobile clinical forward
- 1160caps
Hwang Hee-chan
Wolverhampton · Pacey direct wing threat
- 2410caps
Eom Ji-sung
Swansea City · Tricky young winger
Model
as of 2026-06-25Exp. points
3.00
Proj. finish
21.2
Seed Elo
1740
Title-probability trajectory
Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots
Matches
History
2002
Fourth place
2010
Round of 16
2022
Round of 16
Culture
Football culture
Football and baseball compete for hearts, but the national team commands unrivaled passion during major tournaments. The Red Devils supporters' group creates spectacular coordinated displays, and the 2002 run remains a cultural touchstone for an entire generation.
Did you know
- Co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with Japan, finishing a historic fourth.
- Son Heung-min is among the most prolific Asian scorers in Premier League history.
- The 'Red Devils' are one of football's most organized fan movements.
- South Korea has qualified for more World Cups than any other Asian nation.
- Beat Germany 2-0 in 2018, knocking out the defending champions.